If this logical conclusion turns out to be correct, what
kind of approximate time frame would it take towards
production? It would be nice to get some sort of feel
rather than continue to drift along in the dark. After
all, OUM appears to be our best short-termed possibility
of making some money for ECD.
The other possibility of an additional new source of badly needed revenue is the new and expanded 170,000 s/f battery plant scheduled for completion in Ohio later this year.
It has not been stated what ECD plans to produce. We certainly have something in mind. According to an article in the St Louis Post-Dispatch today,"General Motors recently announced plans to roll out a hybrid version of its Saturn Vue SUV in 2005, and Ford has stated they plan to unveil a hybrid version of its Escape SUV by the end of the year. GM's hybrid engines, for example, will be built with standard lead-acid batteries - 25 percent less expensive than the nickel-hydride batteries used in today's gas-electric vehicles, according to the company." It was not stated what kind of battery Ford would use, but I was encouraged that nickel-metal-hydride batteries were only 25% more expensive than lead-acid in light of the longer lasting maintenance-free NiMH batteries. "Last year, domestic hybrid sales grew 77 percent to more than 36,000 vehicles. Executives at Honda and Toyota expect combined US sales to reach nearly 40,000 in 2003."
Another logical assumption would be NiMH batteries for the new Ford SUV hybrid. It remains to be seen. I just have a very difficult time with Chevron-Texaco building and equipping such an expanded plant without impending contracts.
It remains to be seen.
Regards |
